The Dickinson press., 1887-07-09
TIE MEN WHO LOVED HER

1t seemed strange that it could exist in these
days of electricity and steam power. An
almost forgotten, out of the way village. run.
ming i'll its own narrow groove, regardless of
the ever widening circles of society.
A little world all to itself.
1t owned its rector, its iawer and its doctor.
and the smaller satellites revolve-l around
them, while the three families kept themselves
aud each other alive with constant inter.
course.
The Rev. Maurice Mildmny was widower
with one child, n little girl with strangely
witching foce--a face full of feeling, at times
wistful and pathetic. at others rirpling over
with mischief and merriment.
Rose Mildmay was the pet and idol of nll
the village, and not the least warm of her atl.
mirers were the SONS of the lawyer and the
doctor, by name Gerald Deerny and Hamil.
ton Sylvester. Tie three children wore the
best of friends; there was no pleasure they
did not share together.
1t was always gala day to the BOYS when
they could spend it with Rose
They were all three loyal in their friend.
ship neither grudginS the other i'll their tri-
angular system of affection.
Neck and neck their ponies trotted. side by
side they hunted for blaclhclrios, nuts and
wild flowers, often hand in hand, with Rosie
forming link between them, looking from
one to the other affectionately, for she loved
them both.
And SO with childhood's innocence the
unity lasted, till the serpent entered their
Paradise, and they knew good and evil.
With ,lawning manhood the lads each saw
how fair Rose was to look upon and each
had the eager desire to win her for himself
n desire which one of them at lenst craftily
concealed from the other.
Hamilton Sylvester, with his fair head
thrown back proudly, and flash in his hon
est blue eyes, made 10 secret of his hope to
win Rose, and knew only that he had rival
by his friends sullen looks and lack of good
will
Gerald peering was of a different type, hut
both the lads We're handsome fellows, tail
we'll grown and manly. though there was a
fire and intensity in Gera!d'S dark eyes which
told that he Was rs strong for evil as for
good i'll the development of his character.
At 16 Rose was all idyl. her small slapely
heal crowned with glory of gold brown
hair, the llues of which "A painter would havc
loved to transfer to his canvas: her violet
eyes looking dark i'll tho shade, showing up in
intense blue in the sunlight, which could OK
pose no flaw in the pure pink and white COM
pleXion.
There We're people who sail the girls mouth
was too large-but they had not seen her
smile, and her nose too smal-but they wcrc
only, as it were, passers by, who required q
statue to look upon: and Rose was not
statuesque. but q warm young creature of
fresh and tender feelings and fine ser,s!,.litirs.
She had always said that She loved them
both alike, these boy lovers Of hers: but ,!ecn
down in her heart was fixed Hainilton';
image, while that of Gerald Decrins, although
cnshrined there too, was only upon tho
surface.
With the dash OF youth, Hamilton Sylvester
chose the professor of n soldier, Willie Gerald
decided upon being Il medical man.
II will win laurelS to lay at your feet, Rose
darling" cried her young lover ioyously, us
he clasped the girls small hand in Ills own;
"and when come back you will be my little
wife, will you not, sweetheart"
And she had raised her brau'iful eyes to
his, with more of tile child than the woman
in them.
u love you, Ham, she said gently, "but VIC
arc all too young; VIC must wait nlrl sec'
Arose, You care more for Gerald tam me!n
cried the lal, q si,,'ien pain i'll eyes and voice.
his beardless cheek.
"No, you are my dearest" she said, a soft
light gathering in her eyes.
Aud from Roses tears and c)inrinr arms l,c
went out to fight the battle OF life, unbound.
except by the chains VIII winch love had n,atlo
him captive, leaving Rose free, willie Ger
aid studied medicine daily with Hamiltons
father.
Ntr ,Naf;f yyl,i l,,,{
when he found her in tears, and she
freely acknowledged they were for Ler lost
friend, "iny pct, do yon think would have
loft you like that. Eosr, Haniitors love is
nothing when compared with mine-a bon
fire to a volcano; forget him, dear, and let us
he all in all to each other'
"Forget Ham!' she ASKED, with startled
eyes oh! Gerald md You are his frend.n
She added reproachfully. "iIe would never
have told me TO forget you.'
"Rose, the time must como wien you will
have to choose between u.s. l.o continued
with emotion; why not now:'
"Nonsense, Gerald" she answered. iin-
patiently, "Ham will come back from Sand
hurst soon, and we shall be friends again.
He did return, and Rose was very proud of
him in his cadets uniform, and the three were
still to all appearances good friends. Still
moro proud was she when the jacket was ex-
changed for the tunic, and Hamilton stood
before her arrayed in scarlet and gold, with
his good sword by his side.
Her eyes rested upon him with real ,,leas.
urc.
~ wish it did not take me from You, Rose
darling lie said lovingly, nut it is only for
q time: | must make n nalne, anl theu-
Do you know what will happen then, Rosie.n
and be looked deep down into the windows of
her soul
"Perhaps," she Acknowledged, a rose leaf
hue 1uttering over her fair face.
War broke out in Africa after that, and
Hamilton Slvester's regiment was ordered
out for active service; and be Went to Danes
hurst to bid sood-by to his family and to
Rose.
MY darling" he whispered. "it is hard to
leave You, perhaps never to return: but duty
calls ana must obey-glatlly would /,
but for Your sake; and yet my love for you
will nerve my arm against the strongest foe,
so strange and contradictory are human
hearts, but cannot 60 without the promise
of your love"
"You have it, Ham," she answered gently.
"True but want more, dear girl-promise
to lie my wife when come back. l am old
enough now, am not!' he laughed, as he
passed his hand over his handsome fair mus
ta"he.
"Yes, think You are old enough to know
your own mind," Sue returned thoughtfully
"Is that all you fear!" be said, imprison-
ing her liand.
~ have no other, Ham," she replied in
low tone: II have cared for you ever since
can remember"
''An,l fo: Gerald!'' lie queried.
"Yes, but far more for you"
"Wlen did you find that out, sweetheart:"
81 have known i. all along, dimly; but
when You wen. away, i'll the world seemed
darl; to ne, and Gerald had no power to
cheer me"
HE trie.. then Rose:, lie said jealousy.
"Green eyes, she laughed, ''for shame!'
Don't you like them green be inquired,
joining in her merrimeiit
NO, blue pleases HE far better, sue
answered with her own upturned to hIs,
sparkling with happiness.